Hibiscadelphus giffardianus (Kilauea hau kuahiwi)[4] is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family Malvaceae that is endemic to the Big Island of Hawaii.

Description

H. giffardianus is a small tree, reaching a height of 7 m (23 ft) and trunk diameter of 30 cm (12 in).[5]

Conservation

It is sometimes believed to be extinct in the wild, with any remaining plants being threatened by habitat loss. Cultivated plants exist in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and certain captive-grown individuals have been replanted at the original site.

Distribution and habitat

It inhabits mixed mesic forests on the slopes of Mauna Loa at elevations of 1,200–1,310 m (3,940–4,300 ft). Associated plants include ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), koa (Acacia koa), mānele (Sapindus saponaria), hoio (Diplazium sandwicianum), pilo (Coprosma spp.), māmaki (Pipturus albidus), kōpiko (Psychotria spp.), olopua (Nestegis sandwicensis), alani (Melicope spp.), ʻaʻaliʻi (Dodonaea viscosa), and naio (Myoporum sandwicense).

References

  1. ^ World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). "Hibiscadelphus giffardianus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1998: e.T30396A9536230. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T30396A9536230.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Hibiscadelphus giffardianus. NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Hibiscadelphus giffardianus". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
  4. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Hibiscadelphus giffardianus". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  5. ^ "Hibiscadelphus giffardianus". CPC National Collection Plant Profiles. Center for Plant Conservation. Archived from the original on 2010-11-21. Retrieved 2009-11-13.